Modeling and control for vibration suppression in a large flexible structure with jet thrusters and piezoactuators

Active control of vibrations is a fundamental subject in the field of large flexible space structures. This paper first discusses the problem of modeling and simulation of a large laboratory structure equipped with both air jet thrusters and piezoactuators, which presents some nontrivial issues for the latter kind of actuators. Different control systems for vibration suppression are then taken into consideration. First, a nonlinear control system using jets, and two linear controllers [linear quadratic (LQ) and decentralized force feedback] using piezoactuators are discussed; then, a control system using both kinds of actuators is presented, exploiting the specific features of each. Experimental results relevant to all the cases are presented